The Lucky Farmgirl-Chapter 2057 - 2032: Joyous Occasion

"When evil wind enters the body, and cold air strikes, if it happens to coincide with the body’s weakest moment, it becomes very hard to recover. Judging from Master Zhou Si’s pulse, your illness was ominous from the start. To be honest, I am quite surprised that Doctor Zhou Junior could have you walk to Jishi Hall to seek treatment on your own in just five days."

Doctor Ding said, "If I were treating it myself, your illness would likely relapse. But if you strictly follow the medical advice, there’s a possibility you could be cured within three months."

Zhou SiLang heard the underlying implication—it might not be curable.

He was somewhat taken aback and asked, "Is it that serious?"

Doctor Ding chuckled and said, "Master Zhou Si, your body has been restored, but it’s clear you are still internally deficient. It seems you’ve been mentally exhausted over the past year. With a feeble body, it’s difficult to eradicate the root of the disease, and wouldn’t the illness linger in such a case?"

Zhou SiLang pondered for a moment, "Has my little sister become this skilled in medicine?"

Doctor Ding: "...Doctor Zhou Junior is now an Imperial Doctor, naturally she is skilled."

Though he spoke those words, Doctor Ding was genuinely surprised himself; he hadn’t expected Zhou Man to become so proficient.

After Zhou SiLang left, he copied down his pulse records, Zhou Man’s prescriptions, acupuncture techniques, and medicinal patches. He then stared at them in a daze.

After seeing his last patient, Doctor Tao casually strolled over to chat. Noticing Doctor Ding’s serious look while studying the papers on the table, he asked, "What’s the matter? Came across a difficult case?"

Doctor Ding handed him the pulse records and prescriptions.

No names were written on the pulse records, so Doctor Ding didn’t know whose they were. But after reviewing them and seeing the prescriptions, he couldn’t help but praise, "Impressive, who came up with these prescriptions?"

Doctor Ding said, "Zhou Man."

Doctor Tao, looking at the acupuncture techniques and medicinal patches, chuckled, "No wonder. Nowadays, it’s rare to find a doctor who can simultaneously use acupuncture, medicinal patches, and decoctions to treat ailments."

Doctor Ding nodded, stroked his beard, and said, "The outcome is excellent as well. The patient’s fever subsided, and most of the illness was relieved in just five days. With such pulse indicators, it should have been a severe cold, likely caused by a chill that disrupted the skin and absorbed the sweat inside, allowing the evil wind to enter and establish a pathogenic root."

Doctor Tao, who specializes in pediatric diseases, knew such illnesses are hardest to treat, sighed, and said, "Such wind-cold conditions are hard to treat and could potentially ruin a reputation if improperly handled."

Doctor Ding nodded, "Next time Doctor Zhou Junior is on break, shall we invite her out for a meal?"

The patients Zhou Man treated during her free consultation were all cured and discharged, and she seldom ventured into this area anymore.

Doctor Tao, eyes glinting, said, "Let’s also invite Shopkeeper Zheng."

Doctor Ding couldn’t help but smile; they both felt it was a good idea.

Shopkeeper Zheng was in the midst of a dilemma. During his next break, he watched his son, who was undergoing training at the pharmacy, closely.

Zheng Gu, unable to bear his father’s gaze, put down the mortar and pestle, looked up, and asked, "Father, if there’s something you want to say, just say it."

Why did he keep staring intensely? It was quite intimidating, wasn’t it?

Shopkeeper Zheng said with a sigh, "Next month, your Junior Sister will be getting married."

Zheng Gu naturally knew; he had been discussing what gift to give with Zheng Shao and Zhou Liru.

Shopkeeper Zheng continued, "I heard from Liru that her second sister is also engaged, and the wedding date is even set for this year’s twelfth lunar month."

Zheng Gu knew this too, as Zhou Liru was his Junior Sister. Although he only spent half a day studying at the Imperial Medical Office, there was still some interaction between senior and junior fellows.

He looked at his father, not quite understanding his intention.

Shopkeeper Zheng, frustrated, said, "You’re already at this age; can’t you find a wife for your father?"

Zheng Gu: "...Father, you did tell me earlier this year, upon entering the Imperial Hospital, that I might become an Imperial Doctor within a couple of years, so I shouldn’t rush into marriage."

Shopkeeper Zheng: "...I did say that, but you can tell me if you don’t want to."

Zheng Gu: "I do want to."

Shopkeeper Zheng became even less pleased, feeling conflicted about whether to wait another two years for a better match for his son.

But in two years, he would be even older, and if a marriage was arranged now, he could be a grandfather in two years.

Zheng Gu ignored his father’s dilemma and continued to focus on grinding medicine, while Liu Sanniang and the others, organizing medicinal materials nearby, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Liru whispered, "Our Senior Brother is really pitiful, it seems whatever he does is not quite right."

Zheng Shao remained silent, but Liu Sanniang laughed and said, "That’s called good fortune. We yearn for such luck but don’t have it."

Among the four senior and junior fellows, Zheng Gu was the only one whose parents were so concerned about his marriage and career.

Zhou Liru, recalling something, happily said to Liu Sanniang, "Senior Sister, once you marry my elder brother, should I call you sister-in-law or Senior Sister?"

Liu Sanniang blushed slightly and said, "Of course, it’s Senior Sister."

Liu Sanniang’s wedding date was set for June 28. With the large Zhou family, there wasn’t much for the young Manbao to worry about, except that the day wasn’t a rest day, so she requested leave two days earlier.

By this time, Zhou SiLang’s illness had thoroughly healed; he was radiantly busying about.

This was the Zhou family’s second major event since moving into the Zhou Residence, and it was indeed the grandest, as the eldest grandson was getting married, and most of the family was present.

At the auspicious hour, Zhou Lichong led a group of brothers to the Liu Family to bring the bride. Bai Erlang and Bai Shan accompanied them. Manbao also wanted to go, but Ms. Qian stopped her.

She said, "You are an elder, and as a colleague of Imperial Doctor Liu, it would be inappropriate to go; Liu’s side might find it hard to host you. So stay home and wait."

Manbao could only watch as Bai Shan and Bai Erlang escorted Zhou Lichong out, observing them ride away happily on horseback.

She felt infinitely regretful.

Imperial Doctor Liu, currently acting as the head of the Imperial Hospital, and Zhou Man, being favored by the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince, along with her renowned medical skills, made this marriage between the two families attract numerous congratulatory guests, especially doctors.

The Imperial Hospital’s doctors, as well as doctors from outside, even herbal merchants, first visited the Liu family to see the bride’s departure, had a quick toast, and then headed to the Zhou family where the bride was to be welcomed, creating quite a lively scene.

The Crown Prince wasn’t aware of Zhou Man’s nephew’s marriage, but the Crown Princess knew.

Since she took leave, another Imperial Doctor was assigned to check the little prince’s pulse today.

Knowing this, the Crown Princess also sent a gift to the Zhou family—not very extravagant, but rather honorable.

As the Crown Princess sent a gift, naturally her natal Su Family did as well, not to mention the Yin Family, Liu Family, Feng Family, Yi Family, and others who sent gifts; while they didn’t attend, they did dispatch gifts from their treasuries.

Zhou Lijun recorded the gifts on a list, for eventually, they would need to be reciprocated.

Xiang Mingxue assisted in managing the event. Seeing her precise records, yet not very appealing to the eye, he taught her how to make the accounts clearer.

Upon welcoming the last wave of guests, Zhou SiLang turned to see Xiang Mingxue slightly leaning in, conversing with Zhou Lijun.